Company Voluntary Arrangements (CVAs) are adding to the woes of commercial landlords as retailers find it increasingly difficult to make ends meet and use them to renegotiate their tenancy debts says Andrew Smith, property partner, Bircham Dyson Bell LLP.

Conflict between the promotion of sustainable development in the UK's planning system and the Localism Bill - the local community's right to be heard on planning matters - means that the ability to build affordable homes to cater to demand will prevent a housing revival believes Jonathan Fewster, senior associate, Bircham Dyson Bell LLP.

UK commercial property investors must think beyond the traditional bank funding in order to receive finance for investing in the UK market says Andrew Smith, partner, Bircham Dyson Bell LLP but in doing so they need to take care that they avoid the pitfalls.

The ruling in the case of K/S Victoria v House of Fraser preventing tenants' guarantors from giving authorised guarantee agreements (commonly known as ‘AGAs') directly to landlords - even on a voluntary basis - is not necessarily the blessing for tenants as it might first appear to be believes Sarah Godfrey, associate at Bircham Dyson Bell LLP.

The Government's proposed blanket policy to allow office space to be converted into residential use to speed up the process of conversion will not be the panacea to solve the housing shortage problem says Andrew Smith, Real Estate partner.